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David Scutt, prosecuting, told the jury: "The victim was with another colleague and they were tidying up at the end of the shift.

"The defendant was wearing a facial disguise, which was a novelty 'tattoo sleeve' that he has pulled over his face - presumably saving himself some money by not having to buy tights, which is the traditional robber's disguise of choice. He Grabs her around the neck, throat and shoulders.

"In his hand is a large black-bladed kitchen knife that he is using to threaten her to get her to open the till that he steals nearly £200 from. He then leaves the restaurant."

Kaspa's, Cheltenham

Mr Scutt explained how the prosecution allege that Curran "comes out of the communal door of a block of flats, which we say he uses, and goes in through the insecure back door of the restaurant."

After Curran had committed the robbery, Mr Scutt said: "We then see him go back into the communal building. Four minutes later he reappears in different clothes."

He said police conducted a search of the area, and searched a flat in the block.

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He added: "They found clothes that we say belong to the defendant. They also found a 'tattoo sleeve' on a flat roof, which had been thrown out of a window.

"This was sent off for forensic testing. It tested positive for saliva, and the defendants DNA was present within that saliva. That fits with him wearing the 'tattoo sleeve' as a mask."

Gloucester Crown Court

The knife was examined for blood as a very minor injury was caused to the victim as the robber let her go, the court heard.

Mr Scutt said: "The DNA profile of the defendant is well represented on the blade."

Mr Scutt told the jurors that Curran was arrested and gave two 'no comment' interviews.

The prosecutor then showed the jury the chilling CCTV footage of the incident, and talked them through what they were watching.

He said: "You can see the distinctive face covering, and see Ms Lucia still has her broom in her hand, and then he's away. It's very quick. He goes out of the restaurant, going out the back. Then he emerges in different clothing."

Mr Scutt said that at the flat "police found an Adidas top that almost exactly matches the top worn by the robber and also a pair of trainers that matched."